No time is too soon for an NFL mock draft and SB Nation's draft expert, Dan Kadar, released his first for the 2013 NFL Draft. With the draft order based on Joel Thorman's power rankings, Kadar had the Broncos selecting with the No. 14 pick, where they come away with the third cornerback off the board:
14. Denver Broncos - David Amerson, CB, North Carolina State
At 34, Champ Bailey's career is nearing its conclusion. Amerson has had some slip-ups this season, but he's still a talented player with good size for a cornerback. On Denver's roster, Amerson could be the second corner while Bailey still plays. But in a season or two, he'd be the top cornerback.
As Kadar notes, Bailey is 34 and will be 35 before the beginning of the 2013 season. While he's still under contract for the 2013 and 2014 seasons, retirement is imminent and a replacement absolutely needs to be found. In Amerson, the Broncos would get that replacement in the form of a very tall 6'3, 194-pound cornerback.
While still just a junior, Amerson recorded an interception in three consecutive games to begin his 2012 season, but has been untested for the most part as teams typically avoid his side of the field. In a 17-16 upset of Florida State, he recorded six tackles as part of a defense that shut out the Seminoles in the second half.